Designing a Better Chicago

  An Annual
Celebration

of Design + Impact

Designing a Better Chicago shines a light on our city’s extraordinary design legacy—the local talent, assets and community that have long supported civic good through design.

Launched in 2020 with a Design Impact Grant program, the new initiative showcases individuals and organizations, public art and programs across the city, inviting residents and visitors to consider the many ways design improves civic life.

Design for Impact

Who are the innovators and visionaries helping to design a better Chicago? Our annual Design Impact Grant program awards up to $25K to local leaders using design to make a difference.

Meet the 2023 Design Impact Grantees.

Learn About the Grants

Advisors

  • George Aye Greater Good Studio
  • Maya Bird-Murphy Chicago Mobile Makers
  • Chris Force Sixtysix Magazine
  • Mejay Gula site design group
  • Christopher Jobson Colossal
  • Wendy Manning Design Museum of Chicago
  • Nathan Mason DCASE
  • Will Miller Firebelly Design
  • Chandra Christmas Rouse Artist
  • Jonathan Solomon Preservation Futures
  • Emily Winter The Weaving Mill